Pitino will have one of his deepest and most talented teams in 2017, led by juniors Deng Adeland Ray Spalding. Senior Anas Mahmoud, plus VJ King, Brian Bowen and Malik Williams are among their highest rated NBA prospects.

“I think I have five potential, legitimate NBA first round prospects on my team,” Pitino said. “Five or six. They are young and I want them to have the pressure of being seen by a bunch of pro scouts.”